Died On This Date (November 7, 2011) Joe Frazier / Heavyweight Boxing Champ; Soul Singer
themusicsover Joe Frazier
January 12, 1944 – November 7, 2011
Known to millions around the world as “Smokin’ Joe” inside the boxing ring, Joe Frazier also flirted with a career in music by fronting his own R&B group, the Knockouts. As a fighter, Frazier’s well-documented career included a gold medal in the 1964 Olympics as well as numerous professional victories over the likes of Jerry Quarry, Jimmy Ellis, and of course, Muhammad Ali, in a 1971 fight that has been dubbed the “Fight Of The Century.” His trio of battles with Ali (including the legendary 1975 “Thilla In Manilla”) made up one the greatest rivalries in sports history. Throughout the course of his professional career, Frazier had an impressive record of 32 wins, 4 losses, and 1 draw. What many didn’t know however, was that Frazier could very well have been a champ of the music charts as well. He loved to sing – both inside the ring and out, and he recorded several decent records over the years. That list includes “If You Go, Stay Gone,” “Little Dog Heaven,” “The Bigger They Come,” and “You Got The Love.” He also formed his own soul revue outfit, Joe Frazier & the Knockouts, who performed regularly in Las Vegas, Reno, and beyond. In September of 2011, Joe Frazier learned he was suffering from liver cancer, and on November 7, 2011, the cancer took his life. He was 67.
Thanks to Harold Lepidus for the assist.
Andrea True was an adult film actress who scored a massive disco hit with her 1976 record, “More, More, More.” Born in Nashville, Tennessee, True moved to New York City after high school to chase her dreams of being an actress. She succeeded in landing some minor roles, but when times got tough, True made the move into adult movies. She quickly became one of the industry’s biggest stars and appeared in over 60 hardcore films throughout the ’70s and mid ’80s. In 1976, True recorded “More, More, More” and the Andrea True Connection was born. The song quickly became a hit at US and European discos and True found herself performing the track on music countdown shows on television. The record ultimately reached the Top 5 on the US and UK singles charts. And her next two singles, “N.Y. You Got Me Dancing” and “”What’s Your Name, What’s Your Number,” did moderately well as well. In 1980 however, True released a more punk leaning album, War Machine, to very little interest. She attempted a porn comeback during the early ’80s, but found it difficult to compete with so many younger starlets coming into the field. Due to throat issues, True retired from the entertainment business save for a few adult film documentary appearances during the early 2000s. Andrea True was 68 when she passed away on November 7, 2011. Cause of death was not immediately released.
